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Preserving your natural teeth for as long as possible is always the best option. But for millions of Americans living with full or partial tooth loss due to trauma or gum disease, every day activities like eating, having a conversation, or smiling for pictures is an uncomfortable and embarrassing situation. But the good news is that losing one, several, or even all of your natural teeth no longer has to be final, thanks to dental implants. Dr. David Gordon, a general dentist in Vallejo, CA, recommends implants for healthy adults looking to recover from tooth loss with the next best thing to a natural tooth.

Dental implants differ from other dental restorations in that they replace the root as well as the crown of a missing tooth. This helps to securely anchor the crown in place without the need for a bridge or adhesives, but it also helps to protect your oral health and the stability of the surrounding teeth by preventing the bone tissue in the gums from eroding (a common side effect of tooth loss).

How They Work

The first step is a comprehensive dental exam to determine whether dental implants are a good option for you. In order to qualify, you must be in good general health and have enough bone density in the gums to support an implant.

The actual procedure involves two steps: first, the implant is surgically placed in the socket of the missing tooth, where it eventually fuses with the surrounding bone tissue. Once the implant has healed and is solidly in place, the cosmetic crown is attached to complete the procedure. Implants can also be used to support a set of dentures on the upper or lower jaw.

If you qualify for dental implants, you will have to maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine and regular follow up dental care in order to minimize the risk of complications. With proper care, implants have a very high success rate and function as the closest thing to a natural tooth.

Find a Dentist in Vallejo, CA

Ready to learn more about how dental implants can give you a beautiful new smile and improve your oral health? To find out if implants are the right choice for you, contact our office in Vallejo, CA, today by calling (707) 557-2200 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gordon.

How dental crowns from your dentist in Vallejo, CA, can remake your smile

Do you want a strong and beautiful smile that stands out in a crowd? If so, it’s time to discover what dental crowns can do for you! Dr. David Gordon in Vallejo, CA, provides dental crowns that can totally remake your smile.

The Benefits of Dental Crowns

There are many important advantages provided by dental crowns that make your smile look great. If you have damaged or broken teeth, dental crowns can protect them from further breaking when you chew. In addition to protecting your remaining tooth structure, dental crowns rebuild your smile, allowing you to have complete, strong teeth once again. With crowns, your entire tooth structure will be restored, giving you maximum chewing ability while also aiding both digestion and your overall health.

Dental crowns can also enhance the beauty of your smile. Modern dental materials like porcelain are translucent and reflect light. Natural tooth enamel is also light-reflective, so your new porcelain crowns will look just like natural teeth, only better! They will stay beautiful too, as porcelain is resistant to staining.

In addition to full porcelain, there are other dental crown materials including porcelain-fused-to-metal, also known as a PFM crown. These crowns are also made to look like natural teeth. They are stronger because of the metal framework, but they also are not light-reflective like full porcelain. People often choose PFM crowns for back teeth and full porcelain for teeth that are visible when you smile. However, the choice is up to you!

Interested? Call Our Vallejo Office Today!

If you want to remake your smile, you need to discover what dental crowns can do. You deserve a smile that stands out and a smile that lasts—Dr. David Gordon can help! Get started on a new smile by calling (707) 557-2200 today.

Find out Whether or Not Dental Implants Are the Best Way to Replace Your Missing Teeth.

Before you decide which restorative dentistry procedure is the best option for treating your tooth loss, it is essential to understand the options out there. With so many adults turning to dental implants to replace their missing teeth, you may have questions about this procedure. We are here to answer all of these questions for you, and once you have all the facts, Dr. David Gordon of Vallejo, CA, can expertly perform these procedures following a consultation.

Q. What Are Dental Implants?

A. Dental implants are the only way to replace the missing tooth roots of a tooth. The implant itself is a small tapered metal post (usually made from titanium) that is placed into the jawbone to support a dental crown or dentures. There are many styles and sizes of dental implants and our Vallejo, CA, implant dentist will work with you to figure out which one is best for your smile.

Q. How Is a Dental Implant Placed?

A. Since implants are designed to replace missing tooth roots, it’s necessary for us to place the implant into the jawbone. This requires minor surgery in which we open up the gums, drill a small hole into the jawbone, and place the implant exactly where your missing tooth used to be. From there we will give your mouth several months to fully heal. During this healing phase, the implant and jawbone will also naturally fuse together.

Q. How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Implants?

A. To place a single implant the process takes about one hour. It usually takes 3-6 months for the bone to fuse together with the implant. Once that’s complete, you’ll come in so that we can place the other parts of the implant (the abutment and the dental crown), which are usually performed in two separate appointments. All in all, it can take anywhere from 6 months to one year to get your implant.

Q. How Long Does an Implant Last?

A. The great news is that an implant is designed to last a very long time. After all, it does fuse together with natural bone and tissue. This means that with the proper oral care, your implant could last you the rest of your life. Of course, the dental crown may need to be replaced every few years.

Q. Who Is a Good Candidate for Implants?

A. Most healthy adults who are missing one or more teeth can benefit from getting dental implants. We will examine your smile and perform X-rays to make sure that your jawbone is healthy and strong enough to support an implant. Once we have deemed you a good candidate for implants we can begin the process of getting you a full smile again.

Are you interested in getting dental implants in Vallejo, CA? If so, call our office today at (707) 557-2200 and schedule a consultation with us. Let us restore your smile and boost your confidence!

Preventative dentistry is one of the most important ways to keep your smile healthy and Dr. David Gordon in Vallejo, CA, can help you keep up with that by having you see him twice a year.

The reasons why we see the dentist

Yes, from toddlerhood on up, we all should see the dentist at least semi-annually for complete oral examinations and professional cleanings. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends this schedule so that teeth and gums stay as healthy and possible, avoiding tooth decay, gum disease, destructive bite issues, deterioration of fillings and crowns and much more.

Also, the ADA maintains that oral health impacts approximately 125 systemic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes. If someone has an autoimmune or inflammatory disease, they may have gum disease or other dental issue.

In these cases, your dentist in Vallejo, CA, may reccomend an individualized treatment schedule. For instance, someone may need periodontal maintenance three times a year to stay healthy. Pregnant women and cancer patients also require close monitoring.

Additionally, Dr. Gordon cites other situations where a trip to his office is warranted:

Oral injury resulting in a laceration, displaced, loose or lost tooth, dental fracture, or object caught between teeth

Lost or damaged restoration

Toothache

Broken denture or bridgework

Loose tooth

A sore which does not heal

Any mouth or jaw pain

Your dentist and his staff are available for over the phone questions and same-day appointments to address your most pressing dental matters.

Putting on appearances

Besides oral health, smile aesthetics help people function well socially and professionally. If you desire a better looking and functioning smile, book a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Gordon. He offers services which improve the color, shape, and arrangement of teeth so when you smile, people react positively.

Dr. Gordon's cosmetic dentistry services include:

Teeth whitening

Composite resin bonding

Tooth-colored fillings

Porcelain crowns

Porcelain veneers

You can schedule your smile analysis with your routine exam and cleaning or at another time convenient to your schedule. Either way, you'll enjoy a visit which opens up the world of cosmetic dentistry to you and allows you to explore the possibilities of a renewed smile.

Time for a check-up?

Please contact Dr. Gordon's office to book your six-month professional cleaning and exam. We have convenient office hours so getting your preventive care is easy. Call (707) 557-2200 for an appointment in Vallejo, CA.

We have some good news and bad news. The bad news: teeth are the one part of the body that can't heal itself after damage occurs. The good news, however, is that dental restorations fix these problems. One of the most common restorations are crowns, which reconstruct the way an imperfect tooth looks and functions. If you're in need of a crown, Dr. David Gordon in Vallejo, CA, is here to answer questions you may have about them.

What is the purpose of a crown?

A crown is a dental restoration made for a tooth that has sustained damage from an accident or decay. It allows you to eat and smile comfortably, as well as ensure that an extraction will not be necessary to fix the dental issue. Crowns are typically made from a ceramic material or porcelain; the type you need will depend on the location of your affected tooth and your Vallejo dentist's recommendations.

How are crowns attached?

After applying local anesthetic your Vallejo dentist will prepare the tooth. This shape will correspond with your crown, which looks like a tooth but is hollow on the inside. The crown fits on top the prepared tooth and is cemented in place after any adjustments are made to ensure a perfect fit.

How long do crowns last?

Dental crowns aren't meant to be a permanent restoration, but improvements in dental products and techniques mean that they're lasting longer than ever before. If you care for a crown properly - keeping your gums healthy and steering clear of biting down on hard candies or ice - you can expect it to last about 15 years. Some patients have crowns for two or three decades before they'll need to be replaced or reattached.

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